Harold E. Fischer Personal Papers
Abstract
This collection contains the personal papers of Harold E. Fischer, who was an Air Force pilot during the Korean War. He was captured and held as a prisoner of war from 1953-1955.
Dates
- 1949 - 2000
Language of Materials
English
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Conditions Governing Use
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
Biographical / Historical
The collection of Colonel Harold E. Fischer, Jr. describes his military career and personal life before, during and after his service as a fighter pilot in the Korean War. He was credited with shooting down 10 Soviet-made Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-1MiG-15 (MiGs) fighters, enough to qualify him as a double ace during the Korean War On April 7, 1953, he parachuted into enemy territory, just north of the Yalu River, which separates North Korea from China and held captive for more than two years by the Chinese government. Harold E. Fischer, Jr. and the other pilots captured during the Korean War were released May 31, 1955. Harold E. Fischer, Jr. was born May 8, 1925 and grew up on a farm outside of Lone Rock, Iowa. As a child he enjoyed reading magazines about World War I Flying Aces. After attending Iowa State University for two years, he enlisted in the United States Army. He transferred to the Air Force in 1950 and attended flight school at Williams Air Force Base in Chandler, AZ. After his release from captivity, Colonel Fisher returned to Iowa State University to pursue a master’s degree in Industrial Administration. During the Vietnam War, he flew 200 helicopter missions. His final active-duty assignment was with the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. Fischer was married three times. His first marriage to Dorothy Herron and they had a son named Harold E. Fischer, III. The marriage ended in divorce shortly before he was captured by the Chinese government. Harold, III, was six years old when he was reunited with his father after being release from his captivity. An Air Force widow, Mary Jane Erickson, wrote to Fischer during his captivity and the two married shortly after his release. His wife had a six-year-old daughter. Later, Colonel Fischer had two more sons with Mary Jane, named Kurt and Clint, and a daughter who died in infancy. After the couple divorced, he was married to Jean Cramlin. They had no children together and the marriage also ended in divorce. He died on April 30. 2009. He was survived by his children and his companion at the time, Tsai Lan Gerth.
Extent
1.45 Cubic Feet (3 Boxes)
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated to the Museum.
- Title
- The Descriptive Finding Guide for the Harold E. Fischer Personal Papers
- Author
- Alan Renga
- Date
- 2014
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives Repository
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego 92101 USA US
(619) 234-8291
(619) 233-4525 (Fax)